A city in the US state of Nebraska is to vote on whether to ban local businesses and landlords from hiring or renting to illegal immigrants.

The vote in Fremont is the result of a two-year fight by residents concerned by an influx of Hispanic workers.

It follows an immigration law passed recently in Arizona which critics have said could lead to racial profiling.

Other states and cities want similar laws, saying the federal government has failed to tackle the problem.

US President Barack Obama has made immigration reform a priority, but has warned the task is being made harder by the actions of Arizona, Fremont and others.

Lawsuit threat

The residents of Fremont will vote on whether businesses should be banned from hiring illegal immigrants and landlords should be barred from renting them property.

Critics say the vote is dividing the city of Fremont The campaign for such a law began two years ago amid concerns that the Hispanic population in the 25,000-strong city had gone from 165 in the 1990s to an estimated 2,000 - drawn mainly to work at a nearby meat-packing plant.

A proposed law - similar to the one being put to the vote on Monday night - was narrowly defeated when put forward by a city council member in 2008.

Residents disappointed by that result collected more than 3,000 signatures for another ballot; they finally got approval in the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Supporters of the vote say it is necessary to protect jobs, healthcare and education for local people, while critics say it will divide the city and fuel discrimination.

The Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has threatened to sue the city if the law is passed.

The Arizona immigration law, which comes into effect next month, requires police to stop and question people about their immigration status if the officers have reasonable suspicion the person is in the US illegally.

I just saw a piece on a news site. The funny part of the bit was how the news commentator said that other cities who had similar ordinance, had to spend millions of dollars to defend itself in court. The way she said it appeared as a sort of threat (If you pass it, i'll make sure you pay through lawsuits / appeals process).

In Arizona alone, they are filing lawsuits at the immigration bill.

Seriously, we have people who come from many parts of the World who went through the legal process to come to our country. Why can't the people who enter here illegally or overstayed their Visa just follow the rules set forth by law (which other countries in the world have in their rules and regulation)? It's like these people against immigration rules feel like you should be rewarded for breaking them. Do they give a quarter to their kids whenever they cut in line.

what gets me is you people sticking up for ILLEGAL immigrants don't care that they are BREAKING OUR LAWS, taking JOBS that could be going to American CITIZENS, taking monies out of our system that could BE USED for American citizens that you all crow about caring MORE FOR.

Our country is BEING INVADED and you all worry more about some vote on a law.

The American people are speaking outand it's about time we decide if we want illegal aliens in our country using services we pay for. I don't mind paying for our own but not people from other countries. Government give away too much of our money to other countries anyway. I do not want Obama making these decisions for me.

If I give shelter to a someone who just robbed a bank I can be guilty of "aiding and abetting".

If I rent to an illegal alien who broke into this country and is violating the immigration laws I should be guilty of "aiding and abetting".

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How about if you don't turn in someone that smokes weed, runs a stop sign, or commits jaywalking?

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Bad analogy..unless you are the one supplying the weed or helping them across the street, and I can't think of any reason why you should be charged with aiding and abetting when someone ran a stop sign.

If I give shelter to a someone who just robbed a bank I can be guilty of "aiding and abetting".

If I rent to an illegal alien who broke into this country and is violating the immigration laws I should be guilty of "aiding and abetting".

Click to expand...

How about if you don't turn in someone that smokes weed, runs a stop sign, or commits jaywalking?

Click to expand...

Bad analogy..unless you are the one supplying the weed or helping them across the street, and I can't think of any reason why you should be charged with aiding and abetting when someone ran a stop sign.

It says in the article that people think it will lead to racial profiling. There's your controversy.

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I'm so sick of people claiming racial profiling.....this has been going on since time immemorial and now that it will affect ILLEGALS everybody is up in arms about it. How foolish have the american people become??? I'm not saying it's right....but....why the shock and interest in it now? It's grandstanding by this administration which does not care about the people in AZ who face danger every single day of their lives and those in WA who could do something to help but WON'T.....go figure. And....if it IS racial profiling so be it. Those who have nothing to fear because they were either born here or came in through the front door need not worry or be fearful. As simple as that.......

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